Flannery billed Rehab for lobbying and business trips abroad

Former Rehab director Frank Flannery billed the charity for lobbying Government departments as well as business trips, the group has confirmed.

Details of invoices submitted by Mr Flannery to Rehab and sent to the Public Accounts Committee have been obtained by the Irish Examiner.

The disabilities charity — under scrutiny over its use of state funds — has confirmed Mr Flanneryits former director was paid for “lobbying” departments as well as “meeting with Government officials”regarding charity lottery funds issues”.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Dáil charities should not pay personnel to lobby.

Rehab said at PAC’s last public sitting that Mr Flannery was paid €400,000 in consultant fees over eight years.

After a further round of questions by letter from PAC, Rehab chairman Brian Kerr replied with more details of what Mr Flannery billed the charity for between 2007 and 2013.

Mr Flannery sought fees for meetings, lobbying, advice, and attendance at international events. The latter included two days in Heidelberg, three days in Amsterdam, and two days in Brussels for Rehab business.

Mr Kerr said the invoices. included fees for “meeting with Government officials regarding charity lottery funds issues” and “successful lobbying in respect of charity lottery funds”.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is ending the charity lottery scheme, a fund which compensated Rehab and others for loss of business after the national lottery was set up.

Mr Kerr said other invoices related to lobbying with the Department of Education and Department of Social Protection in respect of the activities of National Learning Network and TBG Learning.

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said he had no formal meetings with Mr Flannery but would “encounter him from time to time”.

Junior minister Ciarán Cannon also met Mr Flannery in his Fine Gael strategist role, but not for Rehab business, she said.